Anyone who has worked in a service based industry knows about Karens. These obnoxious, entitled white women are notorious for their rude, disrespectful behaviors and demand to speak directly to management.
However, what should you do if one comes knocking at your door in person? Online videos and TikTok accounts show them off quite frequently; but what should you expect if you meet one in real life?
What to do if you anger a Karen?
If you work in any service-based industry, chances are you have come across Karens at some point. These rude and entitled customers have become commonplace as social media has elevated these people further into public scrutiny. Though Karens were always part of every business environment, social media and TikTok have brought these obnoxious individuals more into view.
Though it can be tempting, resist giving in to their demands; otherwise they’ll continue yelling and irritating you further. Instead, remain calm and attempt to understand their behavior rationally – for instance if Karen becomes upset because the barista gave her full cream milk instead of skinny. Ask yourself whether this issue really merits such an argument; chances are it probably doesn’t.
An effective way to keep Karen from taking advantage of you is having a clearly stated cancellation policy. This will indicate to them that if they cancel within an acceptable timeframe or don’t show for their scheduled service appointment they will incur a cancellation fee, helping dissuade any attempts at taking advantage of you while showing other clients you are serious about following through with policies.
Clear policies will also come in handy should anyone make allegations about your business online, like Karen did. With an effective cancellation policy and written contract in place with clients, you can use these documents as evidence that they agreed to the terms of your services – this will prevent them from making accusations that they were mistreated or didn’t receive what they paid for.
When Karen is giving you grief, keep this in mind: She could be experiencing more serious difficulties. From abusive relationships and financial troubles to mental health concerns and mental illness issues, she needs someone sympathetic and understanding by her side to talk through these problems with. By being empathic and supportive you might just help her find strength to break free of her vicious circle of self-destruction.
What to say if you anger a Karen?
No doubt every service-based employee has come across at least one Karen. While these types of customers have always existed, social media – particularly TikTok – has thrust them into the limelight. A Karen is defined as an entitled, angry and out-of-touch customer. To avoid being provoked into reacting by these types of customers it’s important to remain calm while remaining firm in your decisions and not giving in to their demands; otherwise they could thrive by further irritating you! To deal with Karens effectively it’s key not giving in. They thrive off getting under your skin so don’t give them that satisfaction!
Karens can have an inflated view of reality, often viewing non-Apple products or wearing pantyhose in public as being sinful acts – this attitude should be avoided at all costs to avoid toxic relationships with Karens.
Note when dealing with Karens that they tend to create drama and can be very manipulative if their wish doesn’t come through, often by filing fake complaints on Google or social media. Therefore it is critical that your business policies and processes are in place so as not to let this tarnish your online reputation.
Note that, although the Karen meme began as a way of criticizing certain white, middle-class women who appear entitled and rude, its use has grown considerably over time – even men sometimes refer to themselves as Karens! This illustrates its popularity.
As the coronavirus pandemic progresses, we may witness more Karens as people become frustrated with restrictions to their everyday lives. But it’s important to remember there are still many good people out there; therefore, we all should strive to be more conscious of our actions during times of adversity.
What to do if you get into a fight with a Karen?
Karens thrive on drama and are constantly looking to cause problems, which can be disruptive and disrupt businesses. But what can be done about them? First of all, remember it’s not your fault that she acts this way – she may be suffering from mental health issues or is going through something in her life she can’t control; acting out in frustration might just be her way of venting their angst and frustrations so try finding ways to comfort and assist her as soon as possible.
As soon as your business policies and procedures are drafted, make sure you keep copies handy in case she tries to pressure you into doing anything against company policy. Armed with this knowledge, it will give you the power to stop her in her tracks and send her on her way.
Make every attempt to keep the encounter as short and painless as possible. Karens can often drag out an interaction, hoping to wear you down with their entitlement and eventually convince you to give in to their demands. By ending it quickly and quickly you will save both time and stress.
When possible, attempt to approach Karen directly rather than through third parties. Doing this allows you to be more direct and honest in dealing with her, which may prove more effective at diffusing a situation. Furthermore, be prepared with your contract ready just in case she starts acting out; reminding her of its terms may help put an immediate stop to any unnecessary behavior and help put things back on course quickly.
Don’t be afraid to use sarcasm when dealing with Karen; one-liner jokes can be very effective at getting their attention and changing their course. Just be wary not to cross into sexist humor territory as women tend to be targeted when using this type of humor.
What to do if you get into an argument with a Karen?
The term Karen has become an online meme to describe middle-aged white women who act entitled and superior in public settings. While mostly applied to female characters, men can also act like Karens. It’s important to keep in mind that every Karen may have been mistreated in some form in the past and now believes they have every right to judge others as she sees fit.
Understanding what prompts Karen behavior can help you avoid being drawn into her turmoil. If you recognize someone as being a Karen, try anticipating what they will say or do so that you’re prepared for whatever may come your way. Karens tend to make their grievances known loud and clear – this may result in them leaving one-state reviews on Google or social media, so when communicating directly with these types it is wiser to stay calm when communicating directly with them rather than allow your emotions get the better of you.
As Karens may sometimes exhibit racist tendencies, you must be prepared to explain to them why their actions and comments are unacceptable. You should also show empathy for their underlying issues such as depression or other psychological conditions; if necessary, suggest meeting privately so they can share their emotions safely.
Avoid getting into an argument with Karen by clearly communicating your cancellation policy and discouraging last-minute cancellations or failing to show for appointments. For optimal results, display this cancellation policy prominently within your business so potential clients are aware of it.
Keep in mind that Karens tend to trust their children more than teachers, often choosing to take their word over that of a teacher who has gone above and beyond for their students – this can be extremely frustrating for teachers who have gone out of their way in helping their pupils only to have them ignored or gaslit by parents who always think they’re right.
